The answer to this question has a few different answers.  The money you lose from missing time at work because of a workplace accident is one of two primary benefits workers’ compensation is meant to replace.  The other is causally related medical treatment for the work-related injury.

The initial period of lost time from work is termed temporary disability.  Benefits are awarded for causally related temporary disability.  This money is payable to you as long as you are disabled from the work-related accident and if partially so, attached to the labor market.  In cases of a permanent disability for back and neck injuries, monetary benefits can be paid for up to 10.10 years if you are found to have a 96% or higher loss of wage earning capacity or permanent impairment once maximum medical improvement has been reached.

When you injure a shoulder or some other extremity, and have a resultant permanent injury your benefits are awarded based on a percentage of loss of use in that extremity as determined by your physician.  When money is paid to you for  a work-related permanent injury to your shoulder or other extremity it is usually paid in a lump sum at the time permanency is determined and is meant to compensate you for any future lost time you may have as a result of that injury.

So as you can see the amount of and length of workers’ compensation benefits you are paid depends  on the type and severity of the injury you suffer at work, benefits can be payable for resultant permanent disability for up to 10 years or in a  lump sum as compensation for future lost time.